New Products From the AIA Show Floor

Schott’s Transformation Glass Schott’s latest product, Mirona, an innovative glass that transforms TV and computer screens into mirrors, debuted at the 2008 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Convention being held in Boston May 15 and 16.Mirona transformation glass is coated on both sides with an optical interference layer. It turns glass displays, such as computer screens and TVs into mirrors when not in use, but when the display is turned on, the image is displayed flawlessly upon the surface.“Wall-mounted flat screen TVs—now ubiquitous throughout the world—have become the ‘blackholes’ of interior decor, especially when they’re not in use,” says Donald Press, general managerof Schott’s Architectural Glass business. “With Mirona panels, however, a TV in its off-state is transformed into a mirror, a much more attractive decorative element.”Mirona transformation glass is available as normal window glass, borosilicate heat-resistant glass and gray glass, and it can be easily processed into laminated safety glass. It can be supplied tempered and as low-iron glass, as needed. Mirona transformation glass is a mineral glass coated on both sides with an optical interference layer to enable both reflection and transmission. It is available in various thicknesses and sizes.Carbon Emissions Assessment Software from IES Integrated Environmental Solutions’ (IES) new software product, VE-Ware, which is available to download for free online, allows new and existing buildings to have their energy and carbon emissions assessed for free. VE-Ware hopes to increase the energy efficiency of the world’s buildings, both domestic and commercial, by giving instant feedback on a building’s energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions based on real geometry, and using international data on climatic conditions and the typical characteristics of different building, room and system types. It is suitable for use at early stages as it facilitates interative design, allowing the comparison of different design, layout and system options. The data entry and outputs are managed for the user so that anyone can use VE-Ware to help reduce the energy consumption and carbon emissions of a building. Viracon’s New Standard Silk-Screen Pattern OfferingsViracon is introducing Viraspan Design standard silk-screen patterns to include 14 different designs. Silk-screening ceramic fit onto glass and lets a designer create a subtle or bold look for a building, using patterns and color. Silk-screened glass also improves solar control performance.“In the past, we offered three standard patterns: lines, dots and holes,” says Brad Austin, senior vice president at Viracon. “However, many of our silk-screen orders were custom designs. After reviewing these custom orders, we discovered that many were similar variations of dots, lines and holes. To simplify the ordering process and save our customers from the expense of a custom order, we expanded our standard offering.”The Viraspan silk-screen pattern now includes 14 standard patterns. The eight patterns in the “lines” series and six patterns in the “dots and holes” series offer a range of coverage from 20 to 60 percent. After selecting a pattern, customers can choose from 14 standard ceramic frit colors or incorporate a custom frit color to create a tailored look.